The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-07-20
TIE BAPTISM OF JOHN.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. MARTHUR, D. p.

Lesson ~ Of tho international ScrIos
Text of tho lesson, Matt. cxl, 1917.
Goldcn Text, Matt. cxl, ~.
We hero pass from tho ministry Of John to
that Of Jesus. The transition hour is tho bap.
tism of the Lord by John; that was the most
important act in tho h%arbingcr's mission.
Tho king was thus inaugurated, and tho
work OF tho forerunner was nearing its end.
Tho scene is profoundly instructive. Thesin-
less Ono submits to the symbolical act as IL
he were Il simmer.
THE LESION.
Y. 10. Then Cometh.-Wo cannot DO quito
certain how long John tho Baptist had been
preaching up to this period. Perhaps, taking
into account tho comparative ago OF tho Bap-
list. wa may suppose TINT tho baptism OF
Christ took place six months after John boz
gan his ministry. Tradition, which has So
lccted the spot. has also named tho winter rs
tho time Of tho baptism. jesus camo from
NAZARETH of Galilce. Mark /, @ nai,lcst- tho
town. We have already seen that this tow
was about seventy miles north of Jerusalem,
and perhaps about the same distance from
NEO f'SO oHSo' AitAV olOt oll SS0In
to'bo the same rs where, in verses flye and
six, multitudes came to John for baptism.
Probably this was tho place already signalized
in tho history Of redemption. Here the
lsraelitcs urldOr Joshua crossed tho river:
nero the waters showed the power Of God
when they wero miraculously opened by
Elijah and Elisha. No wonder that muititudos
still como, rs many travellers inform us, and
plunge into the waters Mt this sacred spot.
Y. Ia. Johns Hcsitancy.-John knew some
thing of Christs miraculous birth, blameless
lifo and divine character. No wonder that
nc shra1.k from performing this service.
More lifting 1t seemed that Jesus should bap-
the him. lilo felt unworthy to unloose his
Lords sandals, far leo, 10 baptize him. This
hesitancy Is in perfect harmony with other
examples of Johns marked humility. The
imperfect tense here employed shows that it
was not Il momentary act when he forbade
HIM. Tho word means that no tried TO hin
der him. AS Afford suggests, tho word i'm.
plies active and earnest preventing with gos.
lures OF hand and tones of tho voice. When
Jesus spoke the words which removed Johns
doubt ho Immediately obeyed. Wo have
three accounts Of the baptism, but Matthew
alone tells us Of Johns hesitancy to perform
tho significant act. John alrondy REGARDED
him as the Messiah, but ho wanted and no
now received perfect assurance regarding his
divine amounting. Why should Christ, the
slnieSs one, submit to tho baptism of repent
nncet The answer is not far to seek. He
was made sin for us. Being in the likeness OF
sinful flesh, it was fitting that he should sub
NIT to tho rite intended for sinners. In this
spirit ho performed many other acts, such as
Keeping tho Passover, an observance belong
ing especially to sinners. His baptism thus
identified tho ord with those whom no camo
to redeem.
Y. Is. Our Lords significant answer re.
moved Johns hesitancy. The reply also
shows Christ's design in submitting to tho
ordnance. Had Christ loft this act unper-
formed, something would have been wanting
'ithat perfect righteousness which he camo
70 manifest. Ho caino in our nature not ONLY
to die the death of atonement, but TO live q
lilo OF perfect obedience. Baptism is M act
OF obedience. Standing in our place it was
lifting that Jesus should submit to this orli-
nance. what Christ sanctioned now by his
own example he afterward commanded,
making it binding upon all his true disciples
The baptism also was an inauguration Of
Christ's public and official life. The anown
suggests that tho relation of subsection was
real, but was only temporary and would soon
give plncc TO q truer relationship. Christ
recognizes some ground for Johns doubt, but
John was to acquicsce for good, though tenn.
porary reasons. The act is that of Jesus no
we'll as that 81 John.
Y. IL. Went Up Stinightwny Out OF the
Watcr.--After the act was performed the
heavens wero opened, tho clouds were parted.
and the spirit MS II dove descended.
AS n Doyc.-This may be understood OF Tho
shape which was assumed, or of tho manner
Of descent, so far as these words are con.
cerncd; but adding what Luke has said duke
iii, ~, it is more probable TINT tho reference
is rather TO tho form which tho spirit chose to
assume. 10 limit this expression to the man.
ner or tho descent is to do violence to the mt.
ural meaning Of tho expression. Nothing
could bo moro appropriate to the character.
life and work of Jesus than this dove like
form. John tells us John |, 32) that at
abode on him." 1t was n permanent posses
SION; thus ho received tho spirit without
measure; thus he was formally anointed for
MS great work; thus lie officially entered
upon II. Then John and others knew. by
testimony from heaven, that le was tho Mes.
siah.
V. IL. a Voice from Heaven.-The voice
OF tho eternal God was now heard. This
voice would confirm John most fully and
better prepare him for his further relations
10 Jesls. 1t Is possible that tho voice was
heard only by him and by Christ himself.
Iio term Son was applied to tho Messiah in
fsalms ii, 2, 10. On two other occasions the
voice OF the Father was heard-at tho trans.
iignration and shortly before tho crucifxion.
a comparison of the records OF these three
events by all the %ovaugolists will show that
on every occasion Christ was engaged in
prayer. The three occasions abound in sup-
gestive lessons.
My Son, My Beloved.-This is a sort Of
proper name; it is n distinctive title. Tho
remaining words arc from tho Messianio pro.